Stelos Scholars

What is the Stelos Scholars Experience?

APPLY!

Students are encouraged to apply for the Stelos Scholars after earning at least 30 college credits. To be eligible, students must have completed at least one full semester as a full-time student at TXST; and they must have at least 4 long semesters (fall, spring) remaining at Texas State.

Students who are not already members of the Honors College will automatically become members upon selection as a Stelos Scholar. To learn more about the Honors College, and why you should join, visit our application information page.

PART 1: Summer Intensive

After being accepted as a Stelos Scholars, students will participate in a week long summer workshop designed to challenge them to think deeply and meaningfully about a problem facing our community. Residency on the TXST campus is required for the summer intensive. All room, board, and activities will be provided at no cost to the students. In the summer of 2024, students will undertake a "design sprint" working in partnership with a local community organization.

In the summer of 2026, program dates will begin on Sunday, July 26, 2026 and will conclude on the afternoon of Saturday, August 1, 2026.

PART 2: Fall Course

After completing the summer intensive, students return to campus in the fall semester and enroll in an Honors College course with other Stelos Scholars. In the fall of 2026, this course will be HON 3397J, "Extraordinary Leadership," taught by Prof. Bill Poston. (Note that the Stelos Scholars program does not cover tuition.)

PART 3: Spring Travel

After successfully completing the fall semester course, students will travel as a cohort to visit with Bobcat alumni and other professionals working in companies and organizations in their field of interest. Prior locations include New York, NY; Seattle, WA; and Portland, OR. There is no cost to the student for any aspect of the travel experience.

PART 4: Senior Capstone

In their final semesters, Stelos Scholars are expected to develop and complete an Honors capstone: a research or creative project that prepares students for graduate school or post-graduate life.

Program History

Any undergraduate student at Texas State is eligible to apply. Applicants must have completed at least 30 credit hours and must plan to remain enrolled at TXST for least 4 semesters after acceptance into the program.

To be considered, applicants must complete and submit an application form. The form includes questions about an applicant's academic background as well as several short answer questions about leadership and intellectual curiosity.

Otherwise, there are no absolute expectations for academic performance (for example, there is no minimum GPA requirement). Each application will receive a holistic review by multiple readers.

A few terms and conditions

By applying to join the Stelos Scholars, students agree to participate in all aspects of the program—both curricular (courses) and co-curricular (travel, summer intensive).

Although Stelos is not a "scholarship" program, in that no tuition reimbursement is provided, all other aspects of the program are provided without charge to the student. There is no additional cost for any aspect of the summer intensive or the travel experience: transportation costs, activity fees, room, and board are covered by the program for all workshop and travel experiences. Please note, however, that the Stelos Scholars does not cover Texas State University tuition and fees; nor does the Stelos Scholars provide funding for on-campus room and board during the regular school year.

Status as a Stelos Scholar is a privilege, not a right. Student behavioral and academic records will be assessed prior to receiving final travel permission, and benefits may be revoked if we believe students have acted in a manner that demonstrates severe lack of good judgment.